WHEN it comes to gardening events, Chelsea Flower Show is tops and this year saw new records, including the most gold medals awarded.
This was unexpected as night frosts were still rolling in 12 days before the show and exhibitors worried whether flowers would unfold in time.
This year can also claim Chelsea’s most expensive show garden – the $44 million Ace of Diamonds Garden. But it takes more than sparkling jewels to dazzle Chelsea judges who gave it a bronze award despite its glitter.
Then the judges awarded just a silver to the Peoples Choice winner for small gardens.
In this issue (page 10) we bring you highlights of the show – choose your own favourites and be inspired by ideas for your backyard.
Now winter has really arrived we’ve tips on feeding hungry birds (page 14), on choosing and caring for citrus, the mainstay of the winter orchard (page 22), and show how to take hardwood cuttings, the great no-cost way to produce new edible and ornamental plants (page 26).
Also in this issue, our centrefold supplement has winter offerings from Diack’s Nurseries, a southern gardening institution based in Invercargill. View www.diacks.co.nz
Susie Longdell,
Editor.
